Aftermath of Hasina's resignation: Students storm presidential palace, seek removal of President
PTC News Desk: Tensions have once again gripped Bangladesh as hundreds of protestors have stormed president's residence seeking his resignation. President Mohammed Shahabuddin's remarks on Sheikh Hasina's resignation have prompted the nationwide protest. The fresh protests come months after political crisis that led to Hasina's ouster in August.
Last week, President Shahabuddin told a local newspaper that he did not have any evidence of Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5 and had only heard about it. However, in an address to the public on the night of August 5, Shahabuddin said: “You know Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tendered her resignation letter to the president and I have received it.”
The tensions however were eased when military personnel urged the protestors to leave the area. During the reports, twi individuals also sustained gunshot wounds when security persons opened fire to disperse the protestors. Additionally, a third person was injured by a sound grenade deployed to disperse the crowd.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement which played a key role in Sheikh Hasina's ouster have now demanded president's resignation. They organised a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar and have set a deadline of 7 days presenting a five point demand including the scrapping of Bangladesh's 1972 Constitution.
"Our first demand is the immediate repeal of the 'pro-Mujib 1972 Constitution,' which has kept Chuppu (the president's nickname) in office," said Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the movement. He emphasized the need for a new constitution to reflect the current political climate as Bangladesh approaches the 2024 elections.
- With inputs from agencies
